High school

A spirit-enlivened experience

Welcome to St. Paul Youth Ministry for high school students. This is the place to deepen faith and friendships, to serve, learn, and lead together. From high schools all over the Quad-Cities region, teenagers are drawn to a church that supports, encourages, and motivates them for real life.

Each gathering of youth in grades 9-12 is meant to be significant, transforming, identity-building, challenging, and memorable.

Sunday Night Live

Sunday Night Live (SNL) is the strong framework for high school youth. Live, grow, and serve joyfully in the Lord. Jump into super-sized life experiences. SNL has something for everyone. Gather in the Youth Room on Sunday evenings, 7:15-8:30 p.m. Small groups meet before, and on Wednesday evenings.

SNL is a lively mix of food, games, discussions, devotional moments, and worship. Faith comes alive here. An amazing team of adults leads and prays with students. Each month, high school seniors share their faith stories.

Sunday mornings

Sunday morning, 10:45-11:30 a.m., high school students gather around one of our youth booths in the Youth Room (on the lower level). Youth ministry volunteers provide topics each week designed to challenge the group and jump into conversations wrapped around God’s presence and perspective, revealing conversations about faith and real life.

Memorable events & trips

Special events are sprinkled into the yearly calendar. They call youth into community and create incredible memories for faith and life. During the school year, youth gather for overnight lock-ins, retreats, evening events, and opportunities to serve. The summer explodes with week-long activities, camps, and adventure trips.

The congregation provides strong financial and prayerful support for the faith adventures of St. Paul youth and their leaders. In the recent past, this support has made possible mission trips to Kansas City and St. Louis, the ELCA National Youth Gathering in Detroit, and hours of local fun and service during a week of Summer Stretch in June.

Faith Milestones

At St. Paul, faith milestones are special markers along the growing-up journey. Each milestone is grounded in the Bible and nurtures faith in everyday life.

Ninth Grade | Blessing of the Keys: Parents and students come together for conversation about new responsibilities in life, including the ability to drive. A blessing is said over car keys.

Eleventh Grade | Adventure trip: Students are invited to attend an adventure trip, preparing them for leadership in our community and exploring their faith stories.

Twelve Grade | Baccalaureate Breakfast: Parents and their graduating senior gather for breakfast and conversation about the future. Students are sent off with a blessing during worship.

Youth Choir

Exercise your faith in song! Youth Choir is for grades 7-12. Learn more

Ephesians 1:15-23

15For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,16do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,19and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might20which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.22And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Matthew 25:31-46

31“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.32“All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;33and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

34“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.35‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’37“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?38‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?39‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’40“The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

41“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;42for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;43I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’44“Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’45“Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’46“These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Isaiah 64:1-9

1Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down,

That the mountains might quake at Your presence—

2As fire kindles the brushwood, as fire causes water to boil—

To make Your name known to Your adversaries,

That the nations may tremble at Your presence!

3When You did awesome things which we did not expect,

You came down, the mountains quaked at Your presence.

4For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear,

Nor has the eye seen a God besides You,

Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.

5You meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness,

Who remembers You in Your ways.

Behold, You were angry, for we sinned,

We continued in them a long time;

And shall we be saved?

6For all of us have become like one who is unclean,

And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;

And all of us wither like a leaf,

And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

7There is no one who calls on Your name,

Who arouses himself to take hold of You;

For You have hidden Your face from us

And have delivered us into the power of our iniquities.

8But now, O LORD, You are our Father,

We are the clay, and You our potter;

And all of us are the work of Your hand.

9Do not be angry beyond measure, O LORD,

Nor remember iniquity forever;

Behold, look now, all of us are Your people.

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,5that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,6even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,7so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,8who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.9God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mark 13:24-37

24“But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENEDAND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT,25AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.26“Then they will see THE SON OF MANCOMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory.27“And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

28“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.29“Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door.30“Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.31“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.32“But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

33“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.34“It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert.35“Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—36in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep.37“What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’”

Isaiah 9:2-7

2The people who walk in darkness

Will see a great light;

Those who live in a dark land,

The light will shine on them.

3You shall multiply the nation,

You shall increase their gladness;

They will be glad in Your presence

As with the gladness of harvest,

As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

4For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,

The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.

5For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult,

And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.

6For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

7There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,

On the throne of David and over his kingdom,

To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness

From then on and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

God’s Anger with Israel’s Arrogance

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

2 Peter 3:8-15a

8But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.9The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

A New Heaven and Earth

10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

11Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,12looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!13But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

14Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,15and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,

Mark 1:1-8

Preaching of John the Baptist

1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGERAHEAD OF YOU,

WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;

3THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS,

‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD,

MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.’”

4John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.5And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.6John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey.7And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.8“I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism of Jesus

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Psalm 126

1When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion,

We were like those who dream.

2Then our mouth was filled with laughter

And our tongue with joyful shouting;

Then they said among the nations,

“The LORD has done great things for them.”

3The LORD has done great things for us;

We are glad.

4Restore our captivity, O LORD,

As the streams in the South.

5Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.

6He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,

Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

16Rejoice always;17pray without ceasing;18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.19Do not quench the Spirit;20do not despise prophetic utterances.21But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;22abstain from every form of evil.

23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

John 1:6-8, 19-28

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Luke 1:46b-55

46And Mary said:

“My soul exalts the Lord,

47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

48“For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;

For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.

49“For the Mighty One has done great things for me;

And holy is His name.

50“AND HIS MERCY ISUPON GENERATIONAFTER GENERATION

TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.

51“He has done mighty deeds with His arm;

He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.

52“He has brought down rulers from their thrones,

And has exalted those who were humble.

53“HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS;

And sent away the rich empty-handed.

54“He has given help to Israel His servant,

In remembrance of His mercy,

55As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and his descendants forever.”

Romans 16:25-27

25Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,26but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith;27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.

Luke 1:26-38

26Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.28And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”29But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.31“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.32“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”35The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.36“And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.37“For nothing will be impossible with God.”38And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Isaiah 9:2-7

2The people who walk in darkness

Will see a great light;

Those who live in a dark land,

The light will shine on them.

3You shall multiply the nation,

You shall increase their gladness;

They will be glad in Your presence

As with the gladness of harvest,

As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

4For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,

The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.

5For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult,

And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.

6For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

7There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,

On the throne of David and over his kingdom,

To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness

From then on and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

God’s Anger with Israel’s Arrogance

Psalm 96

1Sing to the LORD a new song;

Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

2Sing to the LORD, bless His name;

Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

3Tell of His glory among the nations,

His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

4For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods.

5For all the gods of the peoples are idols,

But the LORD made the heavens.

6Splendor and majesty are before Him,

Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,

Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

8Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name;

Bring an offering and come into His courts.

9Worship the LORD in holy attire;

Tremble before Him, all the earth.

10Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns;

Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;

He will judge the peoples with equity.”

11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

Let the sea roar, and all it contains;

12Let the field exult, and all that is in it.

Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy

13Before the LORD, for He is coming,

For He is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness

And the peoples in His faithfulness.

Titus 2:11-14

11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,12instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,13looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,14who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]

Isaiah 9:2-7

2The people who walk in darkness

Will see a great light;

Those who live in a dark land,

The light will shine on them.

3You shall multiply the nation,

You shall increase their gladness;

They will be glad in Your presence

As with the gladness of harvest,

As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

4For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,

The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.

5For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult,

And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.

6For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

7There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,

On the throne of David and over his kingdom,

To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness

From then on and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

God’s Anger with Israel’s Arrogance

Psalm 96

1Sing to the LORD a new song;

Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

2Sing to the LORD, bless His name;

Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

3Tell of His glory among the nations,

His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

4For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods.

5For all the gods of the peoples are idols,

But the LORD made the heavens.

6Splendor and majesty are before Him,

Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,

Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

8Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name;

Bring an offering and come into His courts.

9Worship the LORD in holy attire;

Tremble before Him, all the earth.

10Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns;

Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;

He will judge the peoples with equity.”

11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

Let the sea roar, and all it contains;

12Let the field exult, and all that is in it.

Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy

13Before the LORD, for He is coming,

For He is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness

And the peoples in His faithfulness.

Titus 2:11-14

11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,12instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,13looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,14who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Luke 2:22-40

22And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERYfirstbornMALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”),24and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”

25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.27And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,28then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,

According to Your word;

30For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

31Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32A LIGHTOF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed—35and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.38At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Return to Nazareth

39When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.40The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Visit to Jerusalem

Genesis 1:1-5

The Creation

1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.2The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.3Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.4God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.5God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

Psalm 29

1Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty,

Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

2Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name;

Worship the LORD in holy array.

3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;

The God of glory thunders,

The LORD is over many waters.

4The voice of the LORD is powerful,

The voice of the LORD is majestic.

5The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;

Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,

And Sirion like a young wild ox.

7The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire.

8The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;

The LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9The voice of the LORD makes the deer to calve

And strips the forests bare;

And in His temple everything says, “Glory!”

10The LORD sat as King at the flood;

Yes, the LORD sits as King forever.

11The LORD will give strength to His people;

The LORD will bless His people with peace.

Acts 19:1-7

Paul at Ephesus

1It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples.2He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”3And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.”4Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.7There were in all about twelve men.

Mark 1:4-11

4John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.5And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.6John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey.7And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.8“I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism of Jesus

9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.10Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him;11and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20]

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

12All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.13Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.14Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be!16Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.”17But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.18Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?20For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

John 1:43-51

43The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He *found Philip. And Jesus *said to him, “Follow Me.”44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.45Philip *found Nathanael and *said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”46Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip *said to him, “Come and see.”47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and *said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”48Nathanael *said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”49Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”50Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”51And He *said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Psalm 62:5-12

5My soul, wait in silence for God only,

For my hope is from Him.

6He only is my rock and my salvation,

My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.

7On God my salvation and my glory rest;

The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

8Trust in Him at all times, O people;

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.

Selah.

9Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie;

In the balances they go up;

They are together lighter than breath.

10Do not trust in oppression

And do not vainly hope in robbery;

If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.

11Once God has spoken;

Twice I have heard this:

That power belongs to God;

12And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord,

For You recompense a man according to his work.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

29But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;30and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess;31and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.

Mark 1:14-20

14Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

16As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.17And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”18Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.19Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.20Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

15“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.16“This is according to all that you asked of the LORD your God in Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, let me not see this great fire anymore, or I will die.’17“The LORD said to me, ‘They have spoken well.18‘I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.19‘It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him.20‘But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’

Psalm 111

1Praise the LORD!

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart,

In the company of the upright and in the assembly.

2Great are the works of the LORD;

They are studied by all who delight in them.

3Splendid and majestic is His work,

And His righteousness endures forever.

4He has made His wonders to be remembered;

The LORD is gracious and compassionate.

5He has given food to those who fear Him;

He will remember His covenant forever.

6He has made known to His people the power of His works,

In giving them the heritage of the nations.

7The works of His hands are truth and justice;

All His precepts are sure.

8They are upheld forever and ever;

They are performed in truth and uprightness.

9He has sent redemption to His people;

He has ordained His covenant forever;

Holy and awesome is His name.

10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;

His praise endures forever.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Take Care with Your Liberty

1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.2If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;3but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

4Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one.5For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

7However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.8But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.9But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.10For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols?11For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died.12And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.13Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

Mark 1:21-28

21They *went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach.22They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.23Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,24saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”25And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”26Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him.27They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”28Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.